A regular meeting of the Litchfield Board of Education was held on Tuesday, October 11, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the Center School library.

 

            Present were: Mrs. Knox, Chairperson; Mrs. Reardon; Messrs. Costa, Doyle, Fairchild, Falcetti, Noone, Shuhi and Simone; Dr. Vita; Mrs. Perusse; Dr. Breslin; Dr. Stuhlman; Mrs. Longobucco; Mr. Zaremski, the public and the press.

 

                        MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: to approve the minutes of the September 27, 2005 meeting as submitted.

 

                                    MOTION carried.  All votes were in the affirmative.  There were no abstentions.

 

Public Comment

 

            Betsy Fabbri reported on the STPC activities at the high school including the technology awareness program; flyers and cookbook fund raiser.

 

            Emily Skelton, the Vice-President of the LHS Student Council reported on the activities at the high school. 

 

Special Presentation

National Merit Commended Scholars

 

            Board members presented certificates of recognition to National Merit Commended Scholars, Devin Courtney and Meredith Hyres.

 

Litchfield Education Foundation

 

            The Executive Board members distributed copies of the LEF Grant Request Procedures and applications and discussed the following: grant process; improving communciation; 3 levels of grants; need for approval for something for the school; everyone would know about the process; enhancement to program could affect budget; could have impact on facilities and program; and need for principal’s signature on mini grants.

 

School Building Committee

 

            Mr. Waugh and Mr. Healy reported on the following: bid packages; principle bid meeting on October 20^th; November 8^th bids back; ground breaking ceremony 1:45 p.m. at LHS and 2:15 p.m. at LIS

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New Business

 

                        MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Mrs. Reardon: to pay bills in the amount of  $84,824.67.

 

                                    MOTION carried.  All votes were in the affirmative.  There were no abstentions.

 

            Board members reviewed a request from Aline Libassi to apply for a Fullbright Teacher Exchange fellowship for the 2006-2007 academic year.  A Fulbright exchange teacher from abroad would teach at LHS while the Aline would teach in Europe under contract with Litchfield.  Board members discussed the following: appropriate waivers granted for certification; no cost to Litchfield schools; could terminate if doesn’t work out; person would be proficient in English; highly competitive application process; honor to teach in Europe; need to teach both French and Spanish; lucky this year to have a Fullbright teacher in the French classes; living arrangements are made in advance; and the Board could help if necessary.

           

                        MOTION made by Mr. Costa and seconded by Mr. Noone: to support the Superintendent’s recommendation to approve the request to support Aline Libassi’s application for a Fullbright exchange process and wish her well. 

 

                                    MOTION carried.  All votes were in the affirmative.  There were no abstentions. 

 

Old Business

 

            Dr. Vita noted that policy #5137.1 will be put on the agenda until all data has been gathered.  The data will be referred to the Policy Committee and then brought back to the Board.  This is an opportunity to keep the discussion ongoing until we can come up with alternatives.

 

            Board members discussed the following: policy implemented exactly as written for now; savings determined; possibility of eliminating the policy; double fee concerns for play participation along with sports in the same season; families could ask for waivers; policy silent on this issue; need to resolve payments before play occurs; need to be consistent in contracts for students; and notification of fees should be consistent. 

 

Superintendent’s Report

 

Dr. Vita reported on the following:

• Moving along on the goals with C.S, I.S and H.S. staff insights; leadership team will meet Nov. 2^nd from 3:30 –6:30 to discuss goal; info will be brought to Board at November meeting; where staff and parents want to be and goals will be finalized around mid year.

•  The Board reception will be held on Friday at Education Connection from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
• Because all surrounding districts are small, there is more depth of resources and staff if cooperative arrangement with area school districts and Education Connection regarding curriculum and professional development can be made.  Language Arts, Math and Science will all be reviewed and supported with Professional Development.
• The School Medical Advisor contract will be renewed for the 2005-06 school year and will be Dr. McKay.
• An update on the LWV presentation on later school starting times for adolescents and its impact on the system will be reviewed. (Safety, staffing, transportation, tradeoffs, athletics, jobs, pros, cons, logistics, development, etc.). Possible discussion with other Boards in our area since schedules need to be compatible for better cooperation with curriculum and sports and community involvement in the process.  Could be a CABE regional event. 

 

Administrative Reports

 

            Dr. Breslin reported on the following: PD day today focused on improvement of comprehension and reading as expressed through writing; and NEASC follow up study in progress towards a school improvement plan.

 

            Dr. Stuhlman reported on the following: very productive workshop today with the science consultant; perspective of CMT science test; streamlining inquiry labs; appreciation for 5 sections in 5^th grade; DARE starting next week; and model UN available for 6^th graders.

 

            Mrs. Longobucco reported on the following: NEASC visit last week; draft of report in 6 weeks; Professional Development today focused on CMT strategies and scores; alignment with frameworks difficult because state continuously changes the framework; technology in the process of putting together a grant due in November; and a presentation set up for the Community Center LABA event.

 

            Board members discussed the following: possibly responding to the State re: changes made all the time; compliance with mandates; cost to respond to ideas of the year from the State; need to get message to the State; possibly through CABE; no longer have trace maps; and need to go to State Board of Ed meeting.

 

            Mr. Zaremski reported on the following: thank you for supporting the Special Education teacher at LHS and part time school psychologist position.

 

            Mrs. Perusse reported on the following: audit winding down; audit on IT procedures; updated asbestos management plan done today; leaks in H S roof; and budget process starting.

 

            Board members discussed the following: oil consortium; daily updates on prices; $1.48 last year price; hope to get it under $2.00; use around 95,000 gallons; energy efficiency savings